Weymouth group prepares to walk against Spectra

Wednesday

Jul 6, 2016 at 4:56 PMJul 6, 2016 at 5:30 PM

Weymouth group prepares to join walk with Boston area community groups on July 16 against proposed pipeline project by Spectra

Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station will walk with Boston area community groups opposed to Spectra Energy’s proposed natural gas pipeline on July 16, according to spokeswoman Alice Arena.

“We are putting information on Facebook and our website,” Arena said. “We will be gearing people up to get excited about this in Weymouth, Quincy and south of Weymouth.”

The proposed pipeline, which will extend through various eastern Massachusetts communities, includes a planned hookup to a connection in Pond Meadow Park in Braintree.

This 4.3-mile connection would then be linked to a proposed compressor station that Spectra Energy plans to build in the Fore River basin.

Opposition to the proposed compressor station and a pipeline from residents and town officials has been fierce during recent public hearings held by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board.

The conservation commission, on May 25, unanimously declined to issue an order of conditions to Spectra to construct the proposed compressor station.

Commissioners cited concerns about a potential explosion at the proposed compressor station and how it would impact the Fore River and the air in the surrounding neighborhood.

Most of the concerns voiced by residents have been about noise, potential gas leaks and toxins affecting marine life in the Fore River Bay.

Spectra is appealing the commission’s decision to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, according to spokesman Joseph Ferson.

“There was an appeal that came in on June 29,” Ferson said.

Ferson said DEP officials plan to inspect the 4.3-acre site for the proposed compressor station on July 12 to help determine whether to uphold Spectra’s appeal.

The DEP has 70 days to issue a decision on whether to override the commission’s decision to deny an order of conditions, according to Weymouth Conservation Director Mary Ellen Schloss.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has the final say with determining whether to issue certificates of public necessity for the proposed compressor station and pipeline.

Spectra is proposing the compressor station and pipeline as separate projects.

350 Mass., an advocacy group for solar and wind energy, is sponsoring the walk against the proposed pipeline and compressor station.

Katherine Anderson, a spokeswoman for 350 Mass., said the walk in Weymouth on July 16 is part of a 43-mile march through eastern Massachusetts communities where Spectra plans to construct the pipeline.

“About 250 people have pledged to march along the route of the proposed Spectra Energy pipeline project,” Anderson said. “They will walk through communities and spread awareness that the pipeline will be built in those communities.”

Arena said a rally in Weymouth near the Fore River Bridge would be held at 9:30 a.m. before the march gets underway at 10 a.m.

“We hope to have a good number of people walk the route to West Roxbury,” Arena said.

Anderson said the marchers plan to end the procession at the State House on July 18 where they will demand Gov. Charlie Baker to take a stand on whether he supports the proposed pipeline and the natural gas pipeline tax to cover its construction.

Opponents of the pipeline tax, which would be a tariff tacked onto property owner heating bills, was dealt a setback in the senate when lawmakers voted 39-0 against the legislation.

District 1 Councilor Rebecca Haugh, a spokeswoman for state Sen. Patrick O’Connor, R- Weymouth, said he joined his colleagues in opposing the pipeline tax sought by Spectra.

“What they did was to ban consumers from having to pay for it,” Haugh said. “Spectra will have to find private financing if they want to expand their business model.”

Haugh said the vote by the Senate proves people are listening to the concerns residents have about the proposed pipeline and the pipeline tax.

“As we move forward there will be other events to draw attention to the situation,” Haugh said. “I think the vote by the state senate to ban the pipeline tax is a good precedent.”